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After a disappointing first-round exit in their quest to defend the NBA crown, the LA Lakers are expected to be extremely active in this summer's offseason. Although they have a serious salary cap burden in the way, the organization boasts plenty of tradeable assets and can renounce its own free agents to make space.
Being one of the biggest markets in the league comes with its perks. Rumors have suggested DeMar DeRozan could take a pay-cut to join the Lakers. Meanwhile, they could pick up veterans on a minimum contract, as the Brooklyn Nets did this season, who are hoping to chase a title.
The article will run down five free agents who could take a veteran minimum contract to join the ring-hunting LA Lakers side.
Three veterans who can help the LA Lakers win an 18th championship
In a recent interview with the Laker Central podcast, Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer stated that the organization will attract a 'ton' of free agents this summer. But only if they can get some deals over the line first, including an increasingly likely trade for Buddy Hield. It may also require landing somebody that can take the ball-handling burden from LeBron James, such as Kyle Lowry or Russell Westbrook.
To do so, they may have to part ways with the likes of Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Alex Caruso or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, whose names have all been mentioned in trade rumors. Should the LA Lakers lose some of their roster depth, they can bring in players on a veteran minimum contract that is not affected by their salary cap limitations.
#3 Dwight Howard
Would the LA Lakers be against running it back with Dwight Howard? Definitely not. The veteran center was influential in their run to the 2020 NBA championship off the bench and continued his efficiency this season with the Philadephia 76ers.
In fact, per 36 minutes, he was more effective with the Sixers than in his time in L.A. The 35-year-old averaged seven points, 8.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game this year and showed his durability, playing in 69 contests for the second consecutive campaign.
The LA Lakers had their issues in center spot this year. Marc Gasol relieved LeBron James of some of his ball-handling duties but could not be said to have been dominant.
Meanwhile, Montrezl Harrell was all but ignored in the postseason and has a player option this summer that he could opt out of or the Lakers could use him as a trade piece. Then there is Andre Drummond, who is set to become a free agent and could be seen as expendable by the franchise due to his up-and-down performances since joining midseason.
Howard would be of extreme value to the LA Lakers as a backup center, either to Gasol or to Drummond, if he stays. He has championship experience and has played with their core roster
#2 Trevor Ariza
Another former LA Lakers star that could be headed back to California is Trevor Ariza. The small forward was a starter on the side's 2008-09 title-winning team, averaging 11.3 points and 1.6 steals throughout those playoffs.
So bringing the veteran back would make a lot of sense for the Lakers. There had been rumors of a reunion prior to the 2020-21 campaign if Ariza was bought out by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although he was, the Miami Heat ended up bringing in the 36-year-old, with whom he played 30 games and averaged 9.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and one steal.
Ariza has been known to make big-time shots and can be relied upon as an outlet on the wing for those driving the lane. Although he has spent little time as a sixth man in the past decade, he would definitely bring defensive solidity and a scoring option to the Lakers' second unit.
#1 Carmelo Anthony
Who better to team up with LeBron James to help him chase another ring than one of his best friends off the court, Carmelo Anthony. The 37-year-old is one of the most-decorated players in the league not to have won a title and can still provide valuable scoring off the bench. Given all of this, it is no surprise that he has already been linked with a move to the LA Lakers and is probably the most-likely of any free agent to sign a minimum deal with the franchise.
Anthony spent the last two years with the Portland Trail Blazers and only became a role player in the 2020-21 campaign - for the first time in his career. He averaged 14.3 points and 4.6 in his time with Damian Lillard and co. and shot just under 40% from deep. He is still an elite scorer who made close to 90% of his free-throw attempts this year.
The LA Lakers lacked significant scoring options during the season, particularly from the 3-point line where they ranked 21st for efforts made. Anthony can be utilized as a knockdown shooter, either as a starter or role player and will bring immense experience for their younger players. He could also be relied upon for extended minutes in the playoffs, where he has played 83 games in his career.
